A lot has happened in 100 years. Point Richmond wasn’t even a town yet. The Critchett Hotel was being built with insight of the town’s future. Santa Fe Railroad had already felt its potential here and Standard Oil was then a minor commodity, not something to fight a war over. No one was thinking of outer space or even air travel. “Online” was where you could find clothes hanging to dry.

Certain people, events, and businesses, made an impact on Point Richmond. We would like YOUR input with names suggestions as to who and what these are. How about the Botts Flying Machine...or the Walgast-Nelson Fight! Certainly Rev. David Calfee and Father Scanlon would make the list...Ed Garrard...Dr. Thompson. What about the Hotel Mac...or the old Firehouse and Police Station...Pixar. The Westside Improvement Club? Current events? Submit your nominations...as many as you choose...and why. Let us assess the accomplishments that influenced the quality of life here. Nominations can be sent via the postal route to the Editor or me, or e-mail gary@alkos.com or mldornan@earthlink.net. Think about it! Then act!

Thank you to the following members who have renewed their memberships:

And a warm welcome to the following new members:

Museum Staff Coordinator Betty Dornan thanks these volunteers who staffed the History Building

and

This issue is a week late so that I could present information about our January 30th meeting. I am including pictures, I hope they reproduce OK. It was a good meeting, thanks to Bruce Beyaert for his informative presentation.

You might notice that unfortunately, for the first time in a while this issue contains no feature memory article. I feel that memories of Point Richmond are one of the most important services this newsletter can provide, by recording these memories we record history from a somewhat objective perspective. Memories of old Point Richmond are also entertaining and interesting. So you older folks, get off you tush and write down those memories, they don’t have to be ancient history and they don’t have to be in perfect literary form, I will clean them up for the newsletter. Your contribution can be a multi issue article or a paragraph that I can combine with other memories.

Yet another thank you to Bob and Marie Peckham for allowing us a new rack next to the checkout counter at their Santa Fe Market. Newsletter sales by their store have doubled. The Santa Fe Market and Point Richmond Market both sell TPIT as a free service to our organization, we appreciate the support.

A warm welcome Ellen Schaefer to the Board of the PRHA. Ellen has agreed to assume the title as PRHA Treasurer but she and her husband Dennis will share the work.

Sincere thank you’s the PRHA Board for the wonderful holiday goodies that appeared at

our last TPIT assembly. From the festive Christmas cactus plant to the cookies, cakes, wine, champagne and even champagne glasses that were used to usher in 2000. I am grateful for you thoughtfulness.

The Deadline for the April/May issue of TPIT is Friday March 24, 2000.

Thanks to the December/January issue assembly crew:

-Mid Dornan (510-234-5334)

THE TELEPHONE: “That’s an amazing invention, but who would ever want to use one of them?”- President Rutherford Hayes, 1876.

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Point Richmond Business Association President Nick Arrington is spearheading a drive to make the downtown area more attractive. Put on your work clothes, bring any tools you have and come down to the center on Saturday, April lst at 9:30 to be a part of the fun. (No April Fool!)

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232-1387

We add another holiday season to our memory book and look with renewed hope to the year 2000.

Dwelling into the past, mention need be made to our Christmas Eve musical extravaganza which under the direction of Joni and Rod Phillips grows more elaborate each holiday season. Joni and Rod are blessed with musical attributes and have a range of Friends who share their musical abilities. We always look forward to Rod and his bagpipes and the excitement they generate. This years presentation was exceptional. Dual harps were played by Melina Meissner and Joyce Rosenfeld. Melina is 15 and has played since age 6. She has taken four tests of the British Royal School of Music, achieving marks of distinction. She has played with the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra and toured Europe with them. Joyce Rosenfield is a graduate of Curtis institute of Music and played her New York debut at Carnegie Hall. They are indeed professionals and filled our church with the music played by angels.

The Parish directory is in the final stage after most parishioners had their photographs taken by Olin Mills. All who participated in the photograph session will receive a free directory with a complete listing of all parishioners. It was a huge undertaking and required more work then we anticipated, but with the help of Mary and Peter Lespier, it is well on its way to completion.

If you are a regular attendee of Sunday Mass, it doesn't take long to figure out that the people who attend Mass regularly tend to occupy the same seats each Sunday - it's almost as if they have been assigned these seats. Thus, since the flu season has hit, it was quite evident that the usuals were not in their places. Each Sunday one more returns and before long we will have survived the flu season and all be back in our places.

Let us not forget those in our Parish who are unable to attend Mass on a regular basis. Theresa Meneghelli is regaining her health and feeling better. Bernadette Bisio attended Mass recently after a lengthy illness. Remember in your prayers my sister, Elaine Neihouse.

We start the New Year with the retirement of Father Jim Cliff. Father Jim has been our Pastor since 1988. He was born in Chicago and ordained in 1957, and has served parishes in Texas, Minnesota, Florida and Illinois. He was assigned to the Oakland Diocese in 1965 and was a Navy Chaplain. He was at St. Cornelius before taking over at our church. In the years that he has spent at Our Lady of Mercy he has overseen the refurbishing of the Parish that involved everything from the kneelers to the windows. Every weekend Father Jim has written a church bulletin with reflective words on the Gospel and items of interest going on within the Parish. During his 12 years as Pastor he has written 500 bulletins, which is where I draw most of my material for these articles - I now have to seek a new source or attempt to become as creative as Father Jim.

On Sunday, January 23, 2000, Father Jim celebrated his last Mass as Pastor at Our Lady of Mercy. He was joined in celebration of the Mass by Father Tony Valdavia and Father Paul Devine. On a very rainy afternoon many past and present Parishioners and friends attended a farewell retirement reception held in the church hall. We will miss Father Jim and his Sunday bulletins and wish him a lengthy, healthy retirement as he begins the latest chapter in his life at Bishop Begin Villa in Oakland.

A new Eucharistic Ministers schedule is in preparation. We have some new volunteers!

It's a boy for the Rosier family - Griffin Lonergan Knee was born on January 26, 2000, and is the first child of Renee and Kevin Knee. Needless to say, as the Grandmother, it's a great way to start the year.

2000 is here - only you can determine how good a year it will be!

See you in church

235-2988

Shelby Meixell was baptized on January 23, in the presence of her parents Matt and Elizabeth Meixell, her sister Samantha Meixell, her paternal grandparents, Darlene and Roger Isenberg from Minnesota, her Aunt Janie Atchley from Missouri, Hank and Paula Scarpelli, and a congregation of extended family. Shelby enjoyed the event thoroughly and finally got a chance to see what Pastor Dan’s beard felt like.

Richmond First United Methodist Church (alias Point Methodist) is celebrating its Centennial this year, and there are various signs of the on-going celebration. Marian Hawkins visited the Youth Sunday school class on January 23 to share with students some of her memories of growing up as a member of the church. One of her earliest memories included the palm tree in the garden and an Easter egg hunt. Each Sunday we have a “Centennial Minute” for a member of the congregation to share a bit about their history at the church, or about a past church family. The Centennial Concert series promises a Sunday evening concert at least every other month, and our official Centennial celebration will be in October.

The Monday night book study group is still going strong, and the current discussion book is Desire of the Everlasting Hills, The World before and after Jesus, by Thomas Cahill. This group has met regularly for the last four years and has read quite a variety of books.

Point Richmond businessman Tom McGowan will be alternately honored and teased as our “Sweetheart of the Year” at a dinner on February 10, 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., at the Richmond Golf and Country Club. Tickets cost $25. Call Fran Smith to reserve yours at (510) 222-2999. Tom helped organize the Many Hands Project at Washington School and continues to work to encourage community involvement in the school and increased educational opportunities for the students at the school. He has been a friend of our church in the community, too, and helped us several times when we were raising funds for our new roof.

We collected enough money during our “Blanket” campaign in December to purchase sixty-six blankets for Church World Service. We had a blanket fashion show, talked about how buying a blanket is like sending a hug to someone who needs it, and acted out the Christmas story with blankets as key players. They were used to be a saddle on the donkey Mary rode, to cover the straw in the stable, to wrap baby Jesus, and as a gift from the shepherds.

We celebrated Souper-Bowl Sunday along with congregations of many faiths across the country, by collecting cans of soup and dollar bills to be used to feed hungry people. The money collected will go the Souper Center in Richmond, and the food will be distributed as needed.

Our congregation sent a candle to the open hearings held in Fairfield February 1-3 regarding the “Sacramento 68” pastors who officiated at a Holy Union service for two women of our conference, Jeanne Barnett and Ellie Charleton, in January 1999. The pastors acted boldly to protest an ever-more-strict church constraint on how pastors may minister to their parishioners. They may face trials through the church judicial process based on the decision of the judiciary panel at the hearings.

Up-coming events:

A concert Sunday, February 27, at 5:00 p.m.; a jazz quartet featuring Matt Eakle on flute, Kit Eakle on violin, John Knox on keyboards. Suggested donation, $10.

Centennial Concert Series: March 26, Sunday, 5:00 p.m. Gill and Tammara Stanfield and friends sing “The Best of Broadway.” Suggested donation $10.

-Mid DornanChurch history is rich with contributions of women. One church group in the 1920’s was the SOCIAL LEAGUE of the first Methodist Episcopal Church whose history is reflected in their minutes printed below and taken from the canvas covered, red leather cornered notebook which cost $1.15. The minutes are printed as written. This is the 42nd installment.

January Feb 2nd, 1926

Social League met in the Parlors of the Church with Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Lyder as Hostesses.

It was moved, seconded and carried that we go over members list and revise it. Moved, 2nd and carried to have table clothes hemstitched.

There was a balance of 2.35 from mens dinner.

It was decided that a food sale be held on Feb 20th.

tea fund .60

balance from men dinner 2.35

2.95

40.08

43.03

paid to Fenner for garbage cans 2.50

Mrs. Dicely for table cloths 12.63

Park Florists 4.50

$19.63

43.03

19.63

23.90 balance

By the time this issue arrives, it will may be too late to make reservations for Tom McGowan's 'Man of the Millennium' aka 'Sweetheart of the Year' recognition and award dinner on Thursday, February 10, 6:30 p.m. at the Richmond Golf and Country Club, 1 Markowich Lane, Richmond.

Tom is being recognized for his many years of community service and for his special contribution to the Many Hands Project at Washington School. And, for being a nice guy!! Nice guy? The dinner will tell. There are some stories about Tom that have never been told before! Dinner tickets are $25 and proceeds will benefit the historic Point Methodist Church which is preparing for their centennial in October.

Contact Fran Smith at (510) 222-2999 or send checks to 2574 Sheldon Drive, Richmond, CA 94803. Mid

Gary Shows

When I realized that we had scheduled this meeting opposite the Super Bowl, my first thought was that we had made a big mistake. I was wrong, we had a nice sized crowd, 28 folks that experienced a good, interesting and informative meeting. The meeting was held at 2:00 pm at the Point Methodist Church, Martina and West Richmond Streets.

Our guest speaker was Bruce Beyaert who is Chairman of the Trails for Richmond Action Committee for the San Francisco Bay Trail (TRAC). The mission of his committee is to complete the San Francisco Bay Trail in Richmond, assuring that it is linked to public parks and population centers, and that it is maintained into perpetuity.

He explained that his committee’s purpose is to promote and coordinate the progress of the Bay Trail through Richmond. We learned that the standard for the Bay Trail is a ten foot wide path that is paved and has a stripe for a bike lane. We were given maps of the progress to date showing completed sections as well as proposed paths.

The committee’s goals for the path are: 1) Complete Richmond’s Bay Trail in 2000 on the west shore from Marina Bay to Point Molate Beach Park, between Miller/Knox Regional Shoreline and Wildcat Creek, on the north shore from Wildcat Creek to Point Pinole Regional Shoreline. 2). Extend the Bay Trail to the Point San Pablo Yacht Harbor concurrent with development of a regional park along the shore of Point Molate Naval Fuel Depot. 3). Link the Bay Trail with the Central Richmond Greenway. 4). Coordinate with others to promote pedestrian and bicycle access on the Richmond/San Rafael Bridge.

Thanks to Mary, Liz, Sonja and Mid for the cookies and refreshments. And thanks also to Mother Nature for giving us a beautiful window between rain storms.

For a lot more information about the San Francisco Bay Trail log on the website http://www.abag.org/bayarea/baytrail/. Or you can call Bruce at 510-235-2835 or Vice Chairs Lyle Fisher at 510-236-2434 and Bette Tarr at 510-233-8188.

Bibleo Tech

We're into the new year and new things are happening at The Point and the Westside Branch Library. Lynn Whitson, our librarian, was the speaker at the first meeting of the Point Richmond Association of Mothers (PRAM). The group, many of whose members met at Story Time at the Library on Thursday mornings, provides contacts and support for new mothers. Lynn's talk was “It's Never Too Early," to start reading to your children. The Library - through the Smithsonian Reading is Fundamental program - provided each mother with a new book to read to her child.

The response to The Best Sellers Club has been wonderful. Countless best sellers have been donated to the Library, giving us all a great new selection. After you've read a current best seller in hardback or paper, you can drop it off at the desk in exchange for hurrahs, high-fives and many, many thanks. Because of space limitations, the branch cannot accept older hardbacks, but they will be gratefully accepted at Main Library.

What to read rainy winter nights? Thanks to The Best Sellers Club, we have “The Victors” by Stephen Ambrose. It is a nonfiction account of Eisenhower and "his boys." We also have The “Greatest Generation” by Tom Brokaw. Anglophile mystery fans will find intrigue in the books of M. C. Beaton - one series is set in Scotland and another is set near London. Children
and adults alike will enjoy “Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone” by J. K. Rowling. This enchanting fantasy which won the British National Book Award, “Children's Book of the Year”, is about an ill-treated orphan who discovers he is a powerful wizard. Happy reading!

“Does anyone know where I can get a drink?”

W.C. Barry, 53 Washington Avenue

C.T. Beringer, 41 Wahsington Avenue

P.M. Dean, 2 Washington Avenue

Mitchel & Geze, 27 Washington Avenue

Charles Hoover, 126 Washington Avenue

Sundbeck & John, 100 Washington Avenue

Thomas Kenny, 11 Washington Avenue

John Kenny, 49 Washington Avenue

Kate Riordan Pope, 50 Washington Avenue

W.D. Thompson, 110 Washington Avenue

Ben Brignone, 100 Standard Avenue

J.A. Ballenct, 30 Standard Avenue

Romolo Bobba, 413 Standard Avenue

Gus Briscon, 144 Standard Avenue

G. Gsrobotti, 541 Standard Avenue

Walter Bianella, 134 Standard Avenue

M.B. Lent, 219 Standard Avenue

Filip Mazza, 18 Standard Avenue

Ed McDuff, 525 Standard Avenue

Harry McNeil, 12 Standard Avenue

G. Pacini, 200 Standard Avenue

Joseph Raspiller, 125 Standard Avenue

James Coffey, 19 Cottage Avenue

Ed McDuff, 28 Cottage Avenue

Gus Green, 37 Park Place

H. Sirrenberg, 2 West Richmond Avenue

E.H. Weber, 112 Railroad Avenue

G.W. Crippen, 1 West Richmond Avenue

Allan Smith

Richard Malloy, local Point Richmond resident, passed away recently. He came to the Point with his family in the early 1940’s residing in a home on Nichol Avenue. The family was very active in Catholic circles, and Our Lady of Mercy Church in Point Richmond is proud to claim one of the Molly sons, Reverend John Malloy, as coming from their church. Father John Malloy joined the Salesians and became very influential in that Order. He was, at one time, Principal of Salesian High School in San Pablo. Seventeen Salesian priests attended Richard Malloy’s funeral at Our Lady of Mercy Church, it was a very inspiring scene. Salesian Priests cam from Australia, Canada, Hawaii and the Figi Islands. Father John Malloy gave the Eulogy of his brother, who was buried in St. Joseph Cemetery in San Pablo.

We are very fortunate to have Harold Shawl as a new contributor to this publication. We are all sharing in the beautiful “Random Memories” that Harold Shawl has of his early days in Point Richmond, some of which we are familiar with. Harold wrote about Vernon “Lefty” Gomez, the great pitcher for the New York Yankees who was born and raised in Rodeo and attended Richmond Schools. I was pleased to know that Gene, the popular and talented barber working with John Veirs of the Park Place Barbers in Point Richmond has a story regarding “Lefty” Gomez. The father-in-law of Gene played baseball with Gomez and was his catcher at one time.

I am interested in some of the early buildings in the Point. Behind the old Abbott home, which is being remodeled, is an old hay barn which must date prior to 1900. I wonder if the new owners will tear it down? It is locate on Cottage Avenue. There are buildings on Santa Fe Avenue and Piedmont Place that are interesting to see.

Do you remember the produce and grocery wagon that the Moore Family operated in the early thirties? It was a covered truck with side openings for the produce that Mr. Moore would drive all around the Point for the convenience of his customers. My mother would always look forward to and shared in the Moore business. Perhaps the Santa Fe Market and the Point Richmond Market should consider serving their customers in this way.

Allan Smith

During our time, the early 1930’s, there were baseball trading cards that became very popular among young baseball fans. The Pacific Coast League, a Triple AAA organization, had teams from Oakland, San Francisco, Hollywood, Los Angeles, Portland, Seattle and Sacramento, and all of their players were involved in the baseball cards. The cards were of better quality than they have now. They showed the players in a playing position on glossy photo cards averaging 3 x 5 inches in size. The pictures were inside a candy box that you purchased for ten cents. The candies were known a ZEE-NUTS, RUF NEKS and HOME RUN KISSES.

John DeFabio, a former local outstanding Richmond baseball player, has a complete ZEE_NUT baseball player picture series that he showed to me on one of you Chevron Retirees Tree Planting trips to the El Dorado National Forest. Needless to say, I was overcome with emotion and envy after viewing the priceless collection of early Pacific Coast League baseball players that I was familiar with. I wonder if John has a card of DENNY WILIE who played for the Oakland Oaks in 1923, a rare card. The Denny Wilie career was a very interesting one which I will continue with in the next issue of TPIT. Denny was from Texas and was an outstanding athlete in all sports and was considered the “fastest man in the Southwest”. He played three years in the Big Leagues with the St. Louis Cardinals and Cleveland Indians and later with the Oakland Oaks. Steven Lavoie, Oakland Tirbune columnist, wrote about Denny Wilie in his Time Capsule article titled “Love Burns Out Baseball Players Career”. More about Denny Wilie later.

Dear Gary:

My father, Trefry Ross corresponded with “This Point….in time” on a regular basis. He recently passed away and we are requesting you publish his obituary. We know he truly enjoyed his life in Point Richmond and TPIT have him much happiness in his last days with us. He was looking for a picture of his wedding for the upcoming article on the Methodist Church. Once the photo is located, we will forward it to you for publication. Please send me information on subscribing to the publication.

Thank you,

Rebecca Cileo

Anderson, CA

Dear Gary:

My heart is saddened by the multiple deaths of our friends in 1999.

Louella Wilcox; my dear schoolmate, Bernard Christiansen; Naomi Huffstetter; long time acquaintance of my parents, Mary Rudolph: louella’s sister, such a dear sweet spiffy lady, who will be missed by the workers at the Richmond Museum of History as well as the TPIT crew, and now the latest being Trefry Ross; a great contributor to TPIT!

Three days prior to Christmas my husband fell off a 12 foot ladder while sawing protruding limb. The tree toppled in a very freak split shattering just below the ladder top and sent him airborne! The poor dear suffered a broken pelvic bone in 4 places, clavicle, right arm and smashed wrist and all his ribs are cracked as well as a cracked sacrum. I told them NOT to give him penicillin because he is highly allergic to it. He got it anyway—what knot heads! His arms, neck, chest and torso broke out in an erythmus rash (resembles scarlet fever) and was itching like crazy. He was released January 26th for home, provided no further complications.

Well, I have to scoot, freak happenings in life can be deadly. He is still with us, fortunately. What a way to end a year and begin a new century!

Sincerely,

Betty Glass Marshall

Grants Pass, OR

Dear Editor:

It is with sadness that I learn of the death of a dear friend, Trefrey Abbott Ross. Born and raised in the Point, Tref received his middle name from the Doctor that delivered him. He married his high school sweetheart, Nellie Huffstetter. Tref and Nellie were two of the first persons I met when I came to the Point as he was a good friend of Bob’s.

His great-grandparents came to Sonoma County from Missouri in 1850. Tref’s grandparents, Charles and Avonia Adams, were Richmond pioneers who came to the Point around 1898 where his Grandfather Charles Edward Adams was an engineer for the Santa Fe Railroad. They were pillars of the historic Methodist Church and lived across the street at 222 Martina Street. Tref’s mother, Uldine, lived there after the death of her parents. Many of Tref’s peers still live in the Point. His memories of the Point to TPIT will be missed.

Sincerely

Mid Dornan

Point Richmond

Dear Pam:

I would like to be a member of the 90 club. I am now 92 born in 1907 on Washington Avenue. Dr. Lucas was my doctor for many years.

I remember Ruth Wood. My childhood in Point Richmond was some of the happiest days of my life.

With love,

Thelma Harvey

Orinda, CA

900 Dornan Drive across from Miller/Knox Regional Park. Has business meetings on Fridays from 7 to 10 pm. Visitors interested in joining are welcome to the business meetings, call 510-234-4884 for time and dates of special shows.

January 21 - February 26

“Tribute”; $10.00, Friday—Saturday, 8 PM, with some Sunday matinees at 2:30. Reservations: 510-232-4031.

March 31—May 6

“The Haunting of Hill House”, a thriller; $10.00, Friday—Saturday, 8 PM with some Sunday matinees at 2:30. Reservations; 510-232-4031.

Mondays, at 7 PM; February 7, March 13, April 10, May 8 and June 12; Methodist Church, 201 Martina Street. Info: 510-273-9959

Meets 2nd Wednesday each month, Hotel Mac Banquet Room, 12-1:30, Lunch Reservations $11, Contact: Paula Aasmus, O.D. 510-235-5228.

Annual Valentine Making Contest, Community Center, 12—4 PM, February 12. Artist Judges, with categories from pre-school to out-of-school

Annual Easter Egg Coloring and Basket Making Contest, Community Center, 12—4 PM, April 22. Artist Judges, with categories from pre-school to out-of-school.

Info: 510-233-6881

The deadline for the February/March issue of TPIT is Friday March 24, 2000.

The next general meeting will next summer. This will be our election meeting with a theme, details will be in the next issue.

Meets last Wednesday each month, Pt Richmond Community Center; 7 PM, Contact: Rod Satre, President, 510-232 5059.

Contact: Linda Hutcherson, Principal or Miss Jones, Secretary 232-1436.

Reading week at Washington school. You are invited to read a story to the children. Pick your story and age group. February 28—March 2, 2000.

Contact: Amelia Drake, President at 284-8131

Bay Trail History

TRAC (Trails for Richmond Action Committee) is collecting stories and photographs, along with social and natural history information relating to the Bay Trail Route in Richmond. This will be used, now, to create interpretive signs along the trail and may, in the future, become the basis for a Bay Trail curriculum and/or self-guiding tour.

What notable locations along Richmond’s Bay Trail would you point out to Bay Trail travelers?

If you have any items you wish to share, please sent to (or notify):

Bette Tarr

251 Western Ave.

Richmond, CA 94801

510-233-8188

kayakee@aol.com

Photos and other memorabilia will be scanned and returned immediately